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Glendale City Council candidate affirms campaign despite absence due to mother's death

Council candidate Edith Fuentes answers a question about gun control during a debate, which took place at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale earlier this month.
(Cheryl A. Guerrero/Staff Photographer / February 19, 2013)

Glendale City Council candidate Edith Fuentes said she missed a recent candidate forum and a few key endorsement meetings because she traveled to the Philippines to care for her mother, who had suffered a stroke. During the visit, her mother, 93, died.

Fuentes said her mother’s death has emboldened her run for office, squashing rumors that she was out of the race. Fuentes’ mother had encouraged her to run in the first place.

“As soon as I landed [back in California], I texted and emailed everyone that I landed and I’m running,” she said, adding that her supporters continued to canvass the city in her absence.

Fuentes, who retired in September from her job as a planning administrator at City Hall, is one of 12 people running for three seats on the City Council.

Jason Wells, managing news editor for the Glendale News-Press, will be conducting a City Council candidate election forum starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, 1201 Cañada Blvd., Glendale.

The event is sponsored by the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council.